bollw smith



r. B. SMITH. WAGON BBAKE.

(N0 Mm.)

No. 319,141 PatentedJunefl, 1885.

WiTNESSE s INVENTDR C402 IF- RDLLIN SMITH.

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UNITE STATES ATENT rricn.

F. ROLLT N SMITH, BENNINGTOX, VERMONT.

WAGON-BRAKE.

SEECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 319,141, dated June 2, 1885.

Application filed August 16, 1884.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, F. RoLLrN SMITH, of Bennington, in the county of Benningt-on and State of Vermont, have invented certain Improvements in Wagon-Brakes, a full, clear, and accurate description whereof is set forth in the subjoined description, and in the drawings accompanying the same, and which constitute a part of this specification.

The features of novelty lie in the peculiar form and mode of attachment of the brakelever to the pole, in its mode of operation, and in the limited number of elements constitut ing the operative parts of the device. It is adapted to be applied to the forward truck of a wagon, and is especiaily serviceable on wagons carrying heavy loads.

Figure l exhibits a plan view, and Fig. 2 a side elevation, of the invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the rear part of the brakelever,sh0winghow the same is made to straddle the pole when in use.

The operative elements of the invention consist of the brake-lever L, having the forked arms (Z d, pivot-eyes e e, and cranked pintles g, for the attachment of the brake-rods R B. These diverge on opposite sides of the hounds G G, and connect with the brake-beam 0, just inside the brake-shoes D D, and as near to the same as practicable. The brake-beam O is supported in stirrups K, attached to the under side of the hounds in rear of the axle, as shown in Fig. 2. The brake-lever L differs from those in common use in being forked, as shown, to straddle the pole; in having the bend at f, so as to permit the lever to lie flat on the pole when thrown forward, and in having the forked ends thereof cranked, as at k k, so as to set the bearings g 9 outside of the head on one side and nut on the other of the pivot-bolt which passes through the pivot- No model.)

eyes e e, in order that the distance between centers 6 and 9 may be as short as possible, the design being to reduce this distance down to an inch or inch and a half, so that with a long arm to lever L of, say, thirty inches, a very powerful leverage may be obtained Without using compound levers, rock-shafts, or other analogous devices. The front end of lever L is so made that a cord or rod may be connected with it, as at b, which rod or cord is passed up to the driver.

In order to secure the most powerful bite of the brake-shoes on the wheels, the lever is drawn back so as to throw center 9 around nearly or quite in front of pivot-center a. In this position the lever will stand without aid, being on dead-center.

Many brakes are in use on the forward trucks of wagons in which the brake-lever is located forward of the driver, and is operated by being thrust over forward by the foot or hand. In this the lever is drawn back by means of a cord or rod, as before statedan arrangement believed to possess advantages over the opposite system of working.

I claim- 7 The brake-lever L, forked, as shown, for the attachment of draft-rods connected with the brakebeam, and adapted to lie on top side of the pole when not in use, and having provisions at the end of the long arm thereof for attaching a rod or cord for operating the same, in combination with rods R R and brake-beam G, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my name this 12th day of July, A. D.

F. ROLLIN SMITH. In presence of FRANKLIN Soorr, A. J. Mirrrrson. 

